Articles From Our September, 2008 Newsletter
Our September program will consist of members of Black Gay pride which took place at the time of our last general meeting. The presenters will be discussing specific needs and attitudes within the Black community regarding gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered persons. Each race has specific thoughts and feelings regarding the LGBT community as a whole and within their specific community. LGBT persons coming out within the Black community are confronted with specific issues of which many people outside of that community are not aware.
Dear PFLAG Family,
I would like to start out by apologizing for the August newsletter being sent out so late. It was a decision of the Board to send it out late in lieu of not sending it out at all because of the upcoming year end and time for membership renewal. I appreciate your understanding.
For those of you who attended the August meeting, Sandy Krigel shared many interesting situations that he has run into while working with clients on adoption issues. If you would like to get in contact with Sandy, I would be happy to provide contact information.
September is an exciting month for your Chapter. That is the time that you are given the opportunity to vote for your Board of Directors at the general meeting. Members in good standing are eligible to vote. The slate of officers is listed in another part of the newsletter. As stated previously, if anyone is interested in assisting with a Board position as a Co-Director or assistant, I would encourage you to contact me or the specific Director. Additional nominations will be accepted from the members in attendance at the general meeting.
September will also bring representatives from Black Gay Pride to discuss specific needs within the Black GLBT community. October will bring representatives from Kansas City Anti Violence Project (KCAVP). November will bring representatives from MAFA (Midwest Alternative Families Alliance). If you have an idea for a program or speaker, please contact any Board member.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the September meeting.
Thank you for all that you do within our organization and our community as a whole!
Randy
CNN.COM August 27th 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- Lesbian activist Del Martin, at the forefront of the battle for same-sex marriage in California, died Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 87. Martin's partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side at the UCSF hospice, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said. Martin and Lyon, 84, tied the knot June 16 in a ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. "Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married. "I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed. "Long before Massachusetts and then California legalized same-sex marriage, Lyon and Martin were integral parts of the early movement for lesbian and gay rights. They met in 1950 in Seattle, Washington, where they worked as editors of construction trade publications. They fell in love, moving in together on Valentine's Day 1953.Martin fought to have the American Psychological Society declare that homosexuality is not a mental illnesses and advocated on behalf of battered women. In 1955, the couple founded the nation's first lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, and launched the first lesbian publication, The Ladder. In the 1960s, they tried to get California lawmakers to introduce anti-discrimination bills and persuaded some police officers to stop harassing gays and lesbians at bars as part of a group Martin co-founded called the Council on Religion and the Homosexual. "In the wake of losing her, we recognize with heightened clarity the most poignant and responsible way to honor her legacy is to preserve the right of marriage for same-sex couples, thereby providing the dignity and respect that Del and Phyllis' love deserved."
Election of Officers and Board of Directors
The annual election of Officers and Directors will take place at the
September general meeting. The slate of Officers and Directors is as
follows. Further nominations of persons who are present will be accepted at
the time of election. Please contact Randy Fowler, President, prior to the
meeting with any questions or if you might be interested in joining the
Board.
PFLAG-KC 2008-2009
September 2008
Election of Board of Directors
President Randy Fowler
Co-Vice Presidents Glen Dove
Secretary David Whitner
Treasurer Randy Fowler
Director of Support Paul DiGeorge
Director of Resources Paul Hough
Director of Membership Sue Edwards
Director of Communications Sandi Archer
Director of Website Development Glenn Lang
Members at Large:
This church is on the north side but hopefully not too far
for some of you to attend.
Randy Fowler
Our church is showing "For the Bible Tells Me So" on Saturday, September
6th at 7:15 right after our Saturday night contemporary service which runs
from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
There's no charge for the movie (we'll accept a love offering at the end for
those who wish to give).
After the movie, I'll facilitate a discussion about the movie and how the
Bible does not condemn homosexuality. Just as background, I'm straight but
my best friend, my brother and my brother-in-law are gay.
We would love to have a huge turnout that night so anything you can do to
help us promote this important film would be greatly appreciated.
Here's a link to a map to our church:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?wip=2&v=2&style=r&rtp=~&&cp=39.24638~-94.56712&lvl=14&sp=aN.39.24638_-94.56712_1000%20NE%20Barry%20Rd,%20Kansas%20City,%20MO%2064155-2814&msnurl=map.aspx?src%3dFP%26lats1%3d39.24638%26lons1%3d-94.56712%26alts1%3d7.16667%26name%3d1000+NE+Barry+Rd%2c+Kansas+City%2c+MO+64155-2814%26redirect%3dfalse&msnculture=en-US
I've also put a link on the top of our home page:
www.CCUnityKC.org
PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES